Johnstone runs Suffolk Sunday, a football tournament for children aged eight to 11 on the first Sunday of every month.
“This pitch is an absolute gem,” he said. “It’s for the community and it’s a safe space for children to have fun and young people to use this pitch in a constructive way.
“What we are concerned about is that [the replacement] being a smaller size means that it won’t be as good a pitch to use and it being overlooked by private houses might mean that there’s more complaints.”
The council said that while the free pitch would reduce by 185 sq m (1,990 sq ft), a recreational space and seating would be added to the site.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said the project was part of its New Homes Programme, which aimed to deliver more than 400 new homes, 75% of which would be council homes for social rent.
“We know the existing Keith Miller sports pitch is an important community asset for local young people, which is why we are re-providing an improved AstroTurf pitch as part of our plans,” they said.
“While construction takes place we will work with a nearby school to provide a temporary pitch to continue running the vital activities for young people, such as the sessions run by Arsenal and Wickers.”
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